October 12, 2026, Georgetown – More than 100 children between the ages of 6-12 participated in the opening sessions of the Concacaf Bigger Game Academy on Saturday, October 10, marking the official launch of the 10-week football development program across four pilot Regional Associations in Guyana.
Rolled out by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), the program is being delivered through the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA), East Demerara Football Association (EDFA), East Bank Football Association (EBFA) and Georgetown Football Association (GFA), positioning football as a vehicle for youth development, community engagement and positive social change.
The Concacaf Bigger Game Academy is a flagship grassroots football-for-development initiative that combines football training with essential life skills and positive social values.
Guyana is among 17 participating Concacaf Member Associations involved in the Bigger Game initiative, which seeks to expand access to football while equipping coaches, teachers and community leaders with the knowledge and practical skills to deliver structured, inclusive and meaningful football experiences for children.
The Georgetown Football Association recorded the highest registration with 33 children, followed by the East Bank Football Association with 31, the East Demerara Football Association with 29 and the Upper Demerara Football Association with 25.
The opening sessions introduced participants to the programme’s orientation phase, with the first lesson centred on cooperation and problem-solving. Under the guidance of trained coaches, children participated in activities designed to develop fundamental football techniques, including dribbling, passing and receiving, while learning how to make decisions about when, where and how to pass the ball.
The curriculum also incorporates physical conditioning, concentration and cooperation, encouraging participants to apply problem-solving skills in practical football scenarios.
Beyond technical and physical development, the Bigger Game Academy places strong emphasis on community involvement and the broader social benefits of sport. Its curriculum promotes teamwork, trust, resilience, effort, discipline, respect and healthy living, while reinforcing the importance of child protection, equality and social inclusion.
Speaking to the launch, GFF President Wayne Forde said:
“The Concacaf Bigger Game Academy represents another important layer in the Guyana Football Federation’s ongoing investment in strengthening our youth development system and expanding grassroots football across Guyana. Through our Youth Ensemble Programme, we have already begun laying the foundation for a more structured and inclusive approach to youth development. The Bigger Game Academy builds on that work by taking football deeper into our communities, investing in the training of community coaches and equipping them with the knowledge, skills and resources to introduce the game to more boys and girls. The closer football gets to our communities, the greater our ability to identify talent at an early age, nurture potential and create meaningful pathways for development. Our ambition is not simply to produce better footballers, but to build a sustainable system in which every child, regardless of where they live, has an opportunity to experience the benefits of football and the chance to fulfil their potential.”
The successful launch represents an important step in the GFF’s continued commitment to strengthening grassroots football and expanding opportunities for young people across Guyana. Through the Concacaf Bigger Game Academy, the Federation is investing not only in the next generation of footballers but also in the development of responsible, confident and socially conscious young people. The 10-week programme will conclude with a festival planned for the end of 2026, bringing participants together to celebrate their progress, showcase their development and reinforce the values learned throughout the initiative.
